Definition of Bullying and Depression

The definition of bullying is when an individual or a group of people with more

power, repeatedly and intentionally cause hurt or harm to another person or group
of people who feel helpless to respond. Bullying can continue over time, is often
hidden from adults, and will probably continue if no action is taken.

The bully role was divided into ringleader (who initiates and leads the
bullying), assistant (who joins in) and reinforcer (who laughs or encourages
the bullying)
Besides the victim, other roles are bully/victim (pupils who are both a bully
and a victim, perhaps a provocative victim who annoys others and is in turn
attacked); de-fender (who helps the victim in some way) and bystander (who
is aware of the bullying but ignores it)
Types of bullying

 Physical bullying - includes hitting, kicking, tripping, pinching and

pushing or damaging property. Physical bullying causes both short
term and long term damage.
 Verbal bullying- includes name calling, insults, teasing, intimidation,
homophobic or racist remarks, or verbal abuse. While verbal bullying
can start off harmless, it can escalate to levels which start affecting the
individual target.
 Social bullying - is often harder to recognise and can be carried out
behind the bullied person's back. It is designed to harm someone's
social reputation and/or cause humiliation. Social bullying includes:
o lying and spreading rumours
o negative facial or physical gestures, menacing or contemptuous
looks
o playing nasty jokes to embarrass and humiliate
o mimicking unkindly
o encouraging others to socially exclude someone
o damaging someone's social reputation or social acceptance.
 Cyber bullying - can be overt or covert bullying behaviours using digital
technologies, including hardware such as computers and smartphones,
and software such as social media, instant messaging, texts, websites
and other online platforms. Cyber bullying can include:
o Abusive or hurtful texts emails or posts, images or videos
o Deliberately excluding othe rs online
o Nasty gossip or rumours
o Imitating others online or using their log-in
Recommendation
1. build a safe environment for all youth: https://www.stopbullying.gov/at-
risk/groups/lgbt/index.html

 Build strong connections with LGBTQ youth to demonstrate

acceptance and keep the lines of communication open
 Accept LBGTQ youth as they are